1745] The Second Struggle for Silesia 135

Before the end of the year her troops had been
driven out of almost all Bohemia, and in January,
1743, the death of Fleury deprived her of what unity
in policy and administration she still possessed.
Worse than all else, the Sea Powers now entered
vigorously into the war. George II. was anxious to
protect Hanover; Carteret and the English people
longed to strike a blow at their natural enemy,
France; and the importunity of England at length
induced the Dutch to move.

Frederick, though he had arranged affairs in Russia
to his liking, had, therefore, every reason to fear lest
Austria should grow strong enough to turn against
himself. He was annoyed beyond measure by the
news of King George's lucky victory over the French
at Dettingen on June 27, 1743. "The devil fly away
with my uncle/' he wrote to Podewils. He declared
that he would never hear the name of France again.
" Noailles is beaten, and by whom ? By people who
do not understand how to draw up a line of battle,
and who, in fact, did not draw one up," Frederick's
disgust was only increased by the fact that his mili-
tary criticism was well founded. Owing to George's
want of skill, Noailles had caught his army in a trap,
from which it escaped only by calm courage and
desperate fighting hand to hand. " I have tolerably
well foreseen everything that has passed in Europe
hitherto," wrote the King of Prussia, " but for this
blow I was not prepared/'

Dettingen and the fear of worse to follow im-
pelled Frederick to take up arms anew. Early in
September, 1743, he visited Wilhelmina at Baireuth